NASA released images of asteroid 2012 DA14

21/02/2013

NASA managed by Goldstone planetary radar observatory set the parameters, and the rotation period of the asteroid 2012 DA14, which flew on Friday is very close to the Earth. The asteroid was elongated object measuring 20 by 40 meters, one revolution around the axis of which is seven hours.

At a meeting of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna relevant data were presented Lindley Johnson (Lindley Johnson), who is the director of the Division of NASA, specializing in the study of near-Earth space objects.

Asteroid 2012 DA14 found on the Spanish La Sagra Observatory in February 2012. On Friday, February 15th, in the evening, the object whose size was initially estimated at 45 meters, flying from the surface of the Earth at a distance of 27.7 thousand kilometers below the geostationary orbit. On the same day in the morning in the Urals, a meteorite fell. This has led many to wonder about the connection between the two events. Astronomers have also stated that these objects are completely different path, and it’s just an incredible coincidence.

NASA’s planetary radar Goldstone immediately after the convergence conducted a series of measurements of the asteroid for 8 hours. On the radar image clearly shows an elongated object with an aspect ratio that is close to 2:1. According to preliminary estimates of the size, it is estimated that they account for approximately 40 to 20 meters. One turn around the axis with the asteroid committed approximately seven hours.

Featuring information about the parameters, astronomers can now determine the properties of the asteroid, and to assess the impact of "Yarkovsky effect", that is, the shift due to heating of the asteroid’s orbit the Sun one of its sides. At its "night" side of all the asteroids emit heat, resulting in a rather weak jet thrust, which "pushes" a celestial body from its orbit. The researchers note that this will be possible thanks to more accurate tracking potentially dangerous space objects from orbit.